Suggestions for improving MSU gameday experience

Post by **SonomaCat** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 2:56 pm

Hey guys -- keep the great discussion coming. When it starts to dry up, I'll summarize the ideas and pass them along, so just keep brainstorming! Thanks!

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:44 pm

Hey BAC, I have lots of ideas, but no time to post everything right now d/t finals week. Give me a little time before sending it off (please)!

Post by **SonomaCat** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 3:50 pm

BozoneCat wrote:Hey BAC, I have lots of ideas, but no time to post everything right now d/t finals week. Give me a little time before sending it off (please)!

No problem... I tend to procrastinate anyway, so you should have ample time to collect your thoughts.

BobCatFan · Post by **BobCatFan** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:36 pm

How about a night game or two. The early fall games would be prefect to have a game start at 5 or 6 pm. The tailgaters could make the game and not have a hangover from Friday's night partying. Maybe more students could attend the late game. They would have time to study or attend their job and the game would kick off Saturday night partying.

For the out of town tailgaters, let them stay in the parking lot Saturday night for free or for a very small fee.

I now Billings is a big sports town, but MSU gets very little coverage in Billings. Treat the TV News Sports guys better and maybe we can get some excellent free press. When I lived in Billings, I can not remember seeing any advertising in the Billings market for MSU Football. Bozeman is an easy two hour drive from Billings. I know their are a lot of football fans in Billings. Recruiting players from the Billings schools would help too. Get MSU-Billings to adpot MSU-Bozeman as their football team. (MSU-Billings does not have a football team.) Have a school bus from MSU-Billings take students to the game. How about offering a special tailgate/game package to fans who live more then 50 miles from Bozeman.

How about having a judging contest for best tailgate food, largest crowd, best costume, and the best overall pregame tailgate party.(The MVP of the crowd)

The is enough How abouts for now.

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Mon Dec 13, 2004 9:48 pm

I like the idea of having lights and starting early season games later. I think a 3:00 p.m. start would be perfect. People would beable to drive into town from a farther distance, and the locals would have more time to tailgate and maybe be a little more elaborate in their tailgating.

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:57 am

This has ben brought up several times, but some different music would be great. I know there are issues with approvals, etc. but something like a little Filter - "Hey Man Nice Shot" after a good hit or something would be cool IMO. Pearl Jam "Alive" would have been very fitting towards the end of several games this year!

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:05 am

There won't be any stadium expansion, or significant renovation until the stadium debt is zeroed, or nearly so. That will be long time, without a Denny Washington-sized contribution.

Think of your donation to the ASA in this manner. If the pot gets big enough, at some point the ASA becomes self-sufficient in paying for scholarships. At that point, general fund money becomse available for things other than scholarships (like paying debt, making captial improvements, etc.).

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 10:06 am

BelgradeBobcat wrote:I like the idea of having lights and starting early season games later. I think a 3:00 p.m. start would be perfect. People would beable to drive into town from a farther distance, and the locals would have more time to tailgate and maybe be a little more elaborate in their tailgating.

I believe there is an NCAA rule about start times for games in stadiums without lights...not sure about that, though.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 1:51 pm

The single most favorable event for improving the gameday (gameweek) experience would be better coordination of where to park the RVs, more beer and bigger barbeques. Plus, sell beer at the games so we don't have to keep going out to the RVs.

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:16 pm

Looks like this thread is boiling down to music, beer, big screen, beer, cheerleaders, beer, and beer. I am a 1971 grad and in 33 years it still boils down to beer. WOW.

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:31 pm

Robcat wrote:Looks like this thread is boiling down to music, beer, big screen, beer, cheerleaders, beer, and beer. I am a 1971 grad and in 33 years it still boils down to beer. WOW.

You did a good job of summarizing things but I think you stole BAC's thunder.

But you can't argue that adding cheerleaders, big screens, and beer to almost any event is a step in the right direction.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 2:34 pm

I have many Griz fans that love going to games in Missoula, but actually tell me that they love the tailgating a LOT better in Bozeman than the do in Missoula. So right there, improving the tailgating even more should be one of the top priorities. This could be Chili cookoff contests in a designated area, football throwing/accuracy events in tailgate area etc. I think most fans come to see the football game and partake in the tailgating as the #1 events they like to do when they go to the football games. I may be different in that I get so into the game I don't need secondary entertaiment inside the stadium. However, if I could choose what would matter to me the most inside the stadium would be 1) Music or something to keep the crowd frenzied/alive 2) Replays on the big screen.

Improve the Tailgating even more and MORE will come

Its already hands down the best its ever been the last 2-3 years.

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 8:15 pm

CARDIAC_CATS wrote:I have many Griz fans that love going to games in Missoula, but actually tell me that they love the tailgating a LOT better in Bozeman than the do in Missoula. So right there, improving the tailgating even more should be one of the top priorities. This could be Chili cookoff contests in a designated area, football throwing/accuracy events in tailgate area etc. I think most fans come to see the football game and partake in the tailgating as the #1 events they like to do when they go to the football games. I may be different in that I get so into the game I don't need secondary entertaiment inside the stadium. However, if I could choose what would matter to me the most inside the stadium would be 1) Music or something to keep the crowd frenzied/alive 2) Replays on the big screen.

Improve the Tailgating even more and MORE will come Its already hands down the best its ever been the last 2-3 years.

What is it that your GRIZ friends love better about bozo's game day experence over Missoula's?

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Tue Dec 14, 2004 9:34 pm

I think he just told you.....TAILGATING!!!!!!

Bcat · Post by **Bcat** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:17 am

Personally, I believe the market for beer drinkers has been saturated in a greater proportion than any other segment of the other potential fan bases. What needs to be focused on is targeting folks who are not interested in driving across the state for a free beer. Tailgating is a key; I think local chapters attracting local folks to join up is a key. In addition, tailgating should be the avenue for Bozo local businesses to sell what Bozo has to offer. If you sell folks on a game, and local attractions, that is what get’s folks out to a game. In Montana, we will travel most anywhere for most any event if we have any loyalties to the products, services, scenery, or atmosphere of a location. This combined with improving the game experience(what you already said, music, cheerleaders, good displays on the big screen, tailgating) is a winner.

How about combo events? It would be tough, but is there a way to sponsor some of these juniors traveling team girls/boys basketball/soccer tournaments held at the college, with the option for families to attend a home football game? If you can get them to one game, I am confident you will get them to many more. Even if Bozo is not msla, it is still higher energy and more big time than a high school game. I remember my first Cat game; I was in awe at the level of play, the stadium, and the numbers in the stands. I have been to many juniors tournaments where several hundred families from all over the state are in a town for tournaments. Often many of the families will attend a high school basketball/football game if their beloved kid is not playing in the tournament at that time. That is how I attended my first Saints game. Often if a junior tournament team looses out, the folks feel so bad they will stay the extra night so as not to make little Johnny feel so bad making the long drive immediately after they just got their butts kicked. Often this is where you see teams/groups head out to a local sporting event, then dinner. I know msla gets a lot of fans since many have cabins around, (Swan, Lincoln, Seely, Holland…) they do the cabin and a game combo. I know it’s a reach, but this is a marketing brainstorming session. More than events, we need to target potential fan bases to draw from, then we can build the events around who we think we can attract.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 1:48 pm

Because I started over and have young ones again, what I see as a need (other than my own preference for more beer in the stadium--I hate having to go out for a quick six-pack between quarters) would center around better coordination with the local law enforcement agencies and kid related activities. The area around the jumping pits and slides are great and Champ is a hero with the young kids. My seven year old wants a picture (not a bubblehead doll) for her room to put up with her Barbie pictures. It'd help having the cheerleaders more involved with the tailgating experience also. The kids actually get more and remember more about the volleyball experience in the fieldhouse than the football game, and I really don't know how to fix that than have more family friendly events. Last item (until I hear more complaints from my other half) would be making the comparison of traffic out and to the interstate: pathetic for a crowd the size we have. It takes longer to get to the interstate from the game in Bozo than to any SEC stadiums I've been to (the only one's I haven't been to are the Mississippi stadiums).

jagur1 · Post by **jagur1** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 1:57 pm

This isn't a knock. But this is the first post that mixed Having more Beer with family friendly events. From a guy who drinks plenty of beer I don't think the answer for the U of M or MSU is easier beer consumption. I believe to much beer is what ruins the NFL crowd.

velochat · Post by **velochat** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 2:01 pm

I park elsewhere on campus and get home in minutes. If a quick getaway is a priority, it's pretty easy to do. If you're tailgating, it would make more sense to wait half an hour in the parking lot instead of idling the car for that time.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 2:32 pm

By all appearances, that would appear to be a contradiction; however, one must remember our Butte, rodeo, branding, harvest roots...the Georgia-Florida football week is, among other things, known as the largest floating cocktail party in the U.S. Many families turn that into nearly a two week vacation. I really liked the idea of some night games. I liked the idea of junior sports being hosted in Bozo/Belgrade. But, how do you get those kids into the stadium without the parents? I guess if I'm going to suggest anything as an improvement, it has to do with getting families from all over the state to make that journey to Bozo. I frequently hear "...there's nothing to do over there other than go to the game..."

Post by **SonomaCat** » Wed Dec 15, 2004 2:36 pm

Cat Grad wrote:By all appearances, that would appear to be a contradiction; however, one must remember our Butte, rodeo, branding, harvest roots...the Georgia-Florida football week is, among other things, known as the largest floating cocktail party in the U.S. Many families turn that into nearly a two week vacation. I really liked the idea of some night games. I liked the idea of junior sports being hosted in Bozo/Belgrade. But, how do you get those kids into the stadium without the parents? I guess if I'm going to suggest anything as an improvement, it has to do with getting families from all over the state to make that journey to Bozo. I frequently hear "...there's nothing to do over there other than go to the game..."

Where exactly are the people from who would say that there is nothing else to do other than go to the game? As far as Montana towns go, Bozeman has more entertainment/outdoors/touristy options than any other place I have been. Maybe this is a problem with people not being made aware of the variety of things to do and see around Bozeman? Perhaps that's something we can add to the list of suggestions? (Apologies if that point has already been made -- I haven't made it all the way through the thread yet).